Rights group urges end to Dutch sale of 'attack dogs' to Israel

BETHLEHEM (Ma’an) -- A Palestinian animal rights group has called on the international community to pressure the Dutch government to halt the sale of “attack dogs” to Israel.

Said Ahmad Safi, Executive Director of the Palestinian Animal League, said in a statement that dogs exported by European countries -- especially the Netherlands -- have long been used by the Israeli military as “living, breathing weapons -- leading to devastating injuries on many civilians.”

Palestinian human rights organization, Al Haq, has reportedly carried out attempts to sway the Dutch government to place a ban on the export of the dogs for such use.

“As a result of communication between Al Haq and the Dutch government, officials in the Netherlands have suggested that they will consider placing restrictions on the export of dogs to Israel, but no firm decision has been reached, nor has any action been taken to date,” PAL said in a statement.

The restrictions would join one of several placed by European countries on trade with Israel, the European Union most recently passing a decision to label products made in illegal Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank.

Such measures are part of a boycott, divestment, and sanctions movement (BDS) pushed by activists and increasingly by politicians, in effort to place pressure on Israel to stop ongoing violations against Palestinians.